School staff were required to return to work in the buildings October 14th in preparation for students to return to a blended learning model beginning October 19th. It’s so surreal being back in the buildings after being away from them since March 13th. It’s so quiet and empty. Tables have been replaced with individual desks that are all spread out. There’s directional stickers on the hallway floors. Signs everywhere telling people to self assess their health before entering the buildings and to wear masks in common areas.
Some people have been so anxious to get back in the buildings. Not me, I’m anxious about being in the buildings at all. I’d rather stay working from home where I know I’m less likely to get sick. It’s just me and my husband at home and neither of us go anywhere unless we absolutely have to. Also, I feel more alone in my buildings than I did working from home. Sure in both locations I’m sitting in a room by myself for 6+ hours a day while I attempt to Zoom with my students. At least at home I have someone to eat lunch with and talk to on my breaks. At my buildings everyone just sits in their classrooms with their doors closed all day. There is no real interaction between people.
Two Days Later…
Additionally, after two days of being back in the buildings preparing for the students to return we received notice that the students return to the buildings would be pushed back to November 2nd and to prepare families for blended learning we would hold two weeks of virtual orientations. Now we are suppose to schedule virtual orientations with our students families. This is to discuss procedures for coming to the buildings, while still working out of our classrooms.
Another Four Days Later…
Well that didn’t last long. Four days later, we have now received another notice saying to postpone the virtual orientations we’ve been planning because students will no longer be returning to the buildings in November. They will stay remote until at least mid January. But again staff are to continue working in their buildings. This makes no sense. Why is it too dangerous/risky for the students to learn in the buildings, but it’s not for the staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if this doesn’t change again soon. I mean over the course of about a week and a half the district has changed their mind multiple times about switching from remote learning to blended learning. This is quite the roller-coaster ride we are on right now.
